Method and arrangement for producing connecting strips of band

ABSTRACT

A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING CONNECTING STRIPS OF HAND FOR USE IN BOX STRAPPING AND BALING APPLICATIONS. A BLANK BAND WOUND UPON A REEL IS PASSED THROUGH A METAL WORKIN MACHINE WHICH APPLIES TO THE BAND A DEFORMATION AT PREDETERMINED STRIP LENGTHS. A SENSING DEVICE SPACED FROM THE METAL WORKING MACHINE AT A DISTANCE EQUAL TO THE DESIRED LENGTH OF THE STRIP, DETECTS THE DEFORMATION APPLIED TO THE BAND AND IN RESPONSE ACTUATES THE METAL WORKING MACHINE TO APPLY A SUBSEQUENT DEFORMATION.

Sept. 20, 1971 H.J TIMMERBEIL ETA 7 3.

, METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR PRODUCING CONNECTING STRIPS CF BAND FiledNov. 21, 1968 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 TamJW/mnacw, H060 humane/ 4 m Sept. 20,1971 TMMERBEIL ETAL 3,605,455

METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR PRODUCING CONNECTING STRIPS OF BAND FiledNov. 21, 1968 9 Sheets-$heet 2 fh-ln- V Scpt. 20, 1971 H. J. TIMMERBEILETAL 3.605.

METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR PRODUCING CONNECTING STRIPS OF BAND FiledNov. 21, 1968 9 Sheets-Shoe 5 IN VE N 7' OR WOW/105mm I-IHGQ 771mm Bermw Mil/M1 [#MQW/ Sept. 20, 1971 H. J. TIMMERBEIL ETAL 3,605,465

I METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR PRODUCING CONNECTING STRIPS OF BAND FiledNov. 21, 1968 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 m? wll m R fimz mat INVE N 7 0R] 70cflew/4V7 Imam in 674 mm NEQEQQ w 3m Hum Elma/3571.].

Sept. 20, 1971 H. J. TIMMERBEIL ETAL 3,605,465

' METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR PRODUCING CONNECTING STRIPS OF BAND 9Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 21. 1968 FIG. 77

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# 60 7/ HAM/I0 m n Sept. 20, 1971 Filed Nov. 21. 1968 H. J. TIMMERBEIL 1METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR PRODUCING CONNECTING STRIPS OF BAND 9Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORI youlew m 1111:1401. #415 0 77 me: 05 1 71 Sept.20, 1971 T|MMERBE|L EIAL 3,605 465 METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR PRODUCINGCONNECTING STRIPS OF BAND Filed Nov. 21, 1968 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORJr T Milk/v10 n'mmmm M160 T! "Ht 1807b 75 Sept. 20, 1971 H. J. TIMMERBEILETAL I 3,605 465 METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR PRODUCING CONNECTING STRIPSOF BAND Filed Nov. 21, 1968 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVINI'OR Y Joann/lllaunt/4,

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3;: 0242/00 /rrlf/ Filed Nov; 21. 1968 Sept. 20, 1971 J, TIMMERBElL ETALI 3,605 465 METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR PRODUCING I commune STRIPS OFBAND i 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 I INVENTOR:

Jmevmimn m w ugo rmnq gala f9 v ova/m ad United States Patent 3,605,465METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR PRODUCING CONNECTING STRIPS OF BAND HansJochen Timmerbeil and Hugo Timmerbeil, Jr.,. Schwelm, Westphalia,Germany, assignors to Titan Eisenwarenfabrik G.m.b.H., Schwelm,Westphalia, Germany Filed Nov. 21, 1968, Ser. No. 777,724 Int. Cl. B21d43/28, 28/00; B26d 3/00, 5/20, 5/38; G01n 21/30; B651? 23/18 US. Cl.72-10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A process for producingconnecting strips of band for use in box strapping and balingapplications. A blank band wound upon a reel is passed through a metalworking machine which applies to the band a deformation at predeterminedstrip lengths. A sensing device spaced from the metal working machine ata distance equal to the desired length of the strip, detects thedeformation applied to the band and in response actuates the metal working machine to apply a subsequent deformation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention resides in a processfor producing a continuously windable band with accurately spacedsections adapted for strapping and baling applications. The band isformed through self-controlled or automatically controlled metal workingor processing arrangements and feed devices. In the known art, forproducing band sections in the form of straps or bale bands, the metalworking or processing arrangement is controlled in dependency of theband feed. In such conventional arrangements, the feed of the band isaccomplished through clamping tongues or rolls operating over a regionof the entire feed movement. After a predetermined number of feed moements corresponding to a required total feed length, the metal workingor processing arrangement is actuated. When long feed sections orlengths are required, as in the production of strapping bands or balingwire, these conventional processes are not practical since manytimeconsuming feed movements are required to achieve the desired overallsection length.

It is an object of the present invention to provide for production ofstrapping bands of accurate length during high feed speeds of the band,so as to result in economic production.

The object of the present invention is essentially achieved through theactuation of the switching circuitry for the metal working and feedarrangements, by means of portions of the band sections. The actuationof the switching circuits is accomplished through the application ofdeformations in the band at the spacing positions. This process has theadvantage that additional or auxiliary workings on the band foractuating the switching arrangements may be avoided. The deformations inthe band may be used to function in conjunction with optical,electronic, as well as mechanical sensing devices for the purpose ofinitiating for actuating switching contacts for the metal working orprocessing arrangement and the feed devices.

The actuation of the switching arrangement can be accomplished in anadvantageous manner through one or more cut-outs in the band. It isequally possible to achieve the actuation of the switching circuitrythrough one or more piercings or indentations of the band. At the sametime, the actuation of the switching circuitry may also be realizedthrough unstressed deformed portions of the band.

It is desirable that the actuation of the switching cir- "ice cuitry beaccomplished through a number of adjacently located deformations of theband with correspondingly arranged sensing devices, for the purpose ofgenerating control pulses reliably.

It is also desirable that the actuation of the switching circuitry beaccomplished through a number of subsequently located deformations ofthe band, in order to initiate or generate a number or plurality ofcontrol pulses in sequence.

The actuation of the switching circuitry results in an advantageousmanner through a plurality of adjacently and sequentially locateddeformations.

The closed surfaces or portions of the band can also be used toadvantage in conjunction with the deformations of the prepared band, foractuating the switching circuitry arrangement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A process and arrangement for producingconnecting strips of band for box strapping or baling purposes. A bandin blank form and wound upon a band storage reel, is advanced toward ametal processing or working machine. The processing machine applies tothe band a deformation, cut-out or combination of deformations andcut-outs for designating an end of the strip. The operation per-formedby the metal working machine does not result in complete severance ofthe band. After a strip end portion has thus been formed, this portionis advanced towards a sensing station spaced from the machine. Thissensing station emits or gives rise to signals which cause the metalworking machine to go through a cycle of operation, upon the arrival ofa strip end portion at the sensing station. With the operation of themachine, in this manner, a subsequent strip end portion is formed whichis spaced from the preceding strip end portion by the desired length ofthe band strip. The process is repeated until the entire roll of bandhas been processed to result in a continuous sequence of strips havingmarked ends in the form of deformations and/or cut-outs.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an elevational view of thearrangement for producing strips of band for strapping of boxes orcartons in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the arrangement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an electrical circuit diagram of the arrangement used tocontrol the machine processing of the band in accordance with FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the arrangementof FIG. 1, in which mechanical sensing means are used in place of theelectronic sensing means for carrying out the operations of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the arrangement of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6 to 9 are top views of the mechanical sensing device used inconjunction with the arrangement of FIG. 4, while in different operatingpositions;

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional side view of the mechanical sensingdevice of FIGS. 6 to 9;

FIG. 11 is an electrical circuit diagram and shows the controlarrangement operating in conjunction With the arrangement of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 12 to 15 are top views of the band showing different forms ofcut-outs as realized from the machine processing steps;

FIGS. 16 to 21 are top and end views of different pierced cuts appliedto the band for the purpose of designating the end portions of thestrips of the band; 1

FIGS. 22' to 24 are top views of the band showing unstresseddeformations of the band; and

FIGS. 25 to 29 are top and side views of different embodiments of theband in which the strip end portions of the band are formed throughspacings and closure portions of the band.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawing, thearrangement for carrying out the process in accordance 'with the presentinvention, consists essentially of a storage drum 21 for a strip or band22, a feeding device 23, a processing arrangement 2'4, electronicsensing positions and 26, a brake 27, and an unwinding reel 28.

The storage drum 21 for the band or strip is rotatably mounted in aframe 29 resting on carrier members 30'. The band or strip 22originating from the drum 21, passes through a feeding device 23. Thisdevice consists of two rotating rolls 33 and 34 which rotate in oppositedirection and impart movement to the band or strip 22 through frictionalcontact therewith. The feeding device 23 feeds the band to theprocessing arrangement 24. The lower roll 34 is driven through a linkage35, in a selected manner by one of two electrical motors 36 and 37mounted within one structural member. These electrical motors 36 and 37are equipped with braking means, so that additional braking arrangementsfor the feeding device may be avoided. The electrical motor 36 serves asa fast motor, Whereas the electrical motor 37 serves as a relativelyslow-running unit. The upper roll 34- operates as a counter roll for thetransmission of the band or strip 22.

The processing arrangement 34 is designed in the form of a press with aunique tool 38 for stamping or indenting to produce the desireddeformation of the band. The tool may be of different designs for thepurpose of meeting the different requirements that may be applied forthe forming of the band. The band 22 is transmitted over a narrow tableor bench 39 between the tool 38 and the neighboring areas. Theelectronic sensing devices 25 and 26 are situated on the portion of thetable 39 adjoining the processing arrangement 24. In the area of theseelectronic sensing devices, the table 39 has an opening 41 along thesides of which are mounted rolls 42 and 43. The band or strip 22 runsover these rolls and forms a loop 44 beneath the opening 41. Before theband or strip 22 is wound upon the winding drum 45 of the take-up reel28, the band runs through the band brake 27 in which the band is grippedbetween the braking rolls 46. The hand brake 27 provides for applyingtension to the band before winding upon the drum 45, and thus maintainsthe loop 44. The winding drum 45 has its own driving mechanism 47 whichis shown in the form of an electrical motor in the embodiment.

The band or strip upon the storage drum 21, which is to be processed, isfirst led by hand through the rolls 33 and 34 of the feeding device 23-,and passed on into the processing direction. Whether the band 22 is tobe provided only with desired separating or spaced positions, orarrangement 24 can be switched on through an on-olf also simultaneouslywith deformations, the processing switch 48, through the beginning ofthe band when located at the tool. This is because the band 22 is notyet at the sensing position 26. After that the beginning of the band orstrip is taken, by hand, to the sensing position 26, and the processingarrangement is again switched on through the on-ofl" switch 48 for thepurpose of forming the first desired spacing or separating position, andthen also the deformations lying on both sides of the spacing position,depending upon the Selection of the tool 38.

4 An automatic control for the arrangement, to be described, now takesover the control for a feed 23 and the processing arrangement 24.

Through the return stroke of the processing arrangement 23, the fastrunning electrical motor 36 associated with the feed 23, is switched on,and as a result the band 22 becomes transported along. The beginning ofthe band must still be passed through the band brake 27 and secured tothe take-up drum 45. After that, the drum driving mechanism 47 may beswitched on through a further on-off switch 49.

In the operation of the arrangement 20, the band 22 becomes guided alongunder the sensing positions 25 and 26, with the spacings applied to theband by the processing arrangement 24. The sensing path is continuouslyinterrupted by the band 22 until the instant that a spacing passesthrough. When a spacing does pass through the sensing position 25, thefast running electrical motor 36 becomes switched off, and the slowrunning electrical motor 37 for the feed becomes switched on. As aresult, the translational velocity of the band becomes decreased to theextent that the feed becomes immediately halted when the spacing runsthrough the second sensing position 26 and thereby gives rise to thesecond control pulse. The first control pulse is generated when thespacing passes the sensing position 25. With the second control pulse,the operational steps of the processing arrangement 24 are automaticallyinitiated, and the driving mechanism 47 for the take-up reel 28 becomesstationary. The take-up reel or winding reel can also be driven with anintermediate speed, and can continue to operate after the feed 23becomes stopped, since the loop 44 will compensate for the difference.When the processing operation is ended, the processing arrangement 24provides a return pulse through, for example, its return stroke. As aresult of this return pulse, the fast running electric motor 36 of thefeed 23, as well as the driving mechanism 47 of the take-up or windingreel 28, become again switched on.

The automatic control for the arrangement 20', may be determined fromFIG. 3. In this circuit diagram, the lines of a three-phase A.C. powersupply are denoted by R, S and T. Connected to these lines of thethree-phase A.C. power supply, are the two electrical motors 36 and 37of the feed device 23, the driving mechanism 47 of the takeup reel 28,and the processing arrangement 24. The neutral conductor of thethree-phase supply is denoted by MP, while SL represents a protectiveline connected to ground potential. The primary winding of a controltransformer ST is connected to the phases R and T of the three-phaseA.C. power supply. The secondary winding of the control transformer STis connected to a switch 40 for controlling the current of thearrangement 20.

To switch on the control circuit for the arrangement 20, when thecut-off switch 40 is closed, the contact 48' of the on-off switch 48 isactuated and closed. As a result, the relay coil d becomes energized andits associated switching contacts d and (1 become closed. When thecontact 48 is then released, the control circuit remains closed throughthe switching contact d Through the simultaneous closure of theswitching contact ti the main relay coil c for the fast running motor 36of the feed 23, becomes energized since the switching contact d isclosed. Through this circuit configuration, the band 22 is rapidlyadvanced. When a spacing position on the band passes through the firstsensing position 25, a pulse is transmitted through the momentaryclosure of the contact 25, associated with the sensing device 25, andthe relay coil d is thereby energized. With the relay coil d energized,the contact d becomes opened and the main relay coil 0 is therebydeenergized. As a result, the fast running electrical motor 36 becomesswitched off. The switching contact 11 becomes simultaneously closedthrough the relay coil d and the timing relay z becomes energized. Thisrelay coil Z1 maintains, in turn, the relay coil d energized for apredetermined time interval, through the holding contact z Through thestate of the relay coil d the main relay coil c becomes, furthermore,energized by way of the switching contact 1 and as a result, the slowrunning electrical motor 37 of the feed device 22 becomes turned Whenthe spacing position on the band 22 passes a second sensing device ofposition 26, this condition is designated through the closure of acontact 26' associated with this sensing position. The momentary closureof the contact 26' causes the energization of the relay coil d When therelay coil d is energized, the associated switching contact [1 becomesclosed and the timing relay Z2 is thereby energized. With the resultingclosure of the holding contact 2 the energizing circuit to the relaycoil d is maintained closed and the coil energized. The processingarrangement 24 becomes switched on, at the same time, through theenergization of the relay coil d The operating contact 24 within theprocessing arrangement 24 becomes mechanically actuated through thestroke movement of the press associated with the processing arrangement24, and as a result the circuit to the relay coil (1.; becomes closedfor the duration of the stroke of the press. The switching contact dbecomes actuated when the relay coil d becomes energized, and therebyinterrupts the current circuit to the relay coil a of the driving source47. The latter is thereby stopped from operating for the duration of astroke cycle of the press.

For the purpose of beginning the processing or working of the band 22,the take-up reel drive 47 can, for example, be actuated through the onswitching contact 49' of the on-off switch 49, and independent of therelay coil d The relay coil d thereby becomes energized and theswitching contact d in the bridging circuit of the contact 49' becomesclosed. The current circuit to the relay coil is held closed through theswitching contact ri of the relay coil d The drive for the take-up reelremains consequently switched on during the stroke or cycle of thepress, with the exception of the interruption through the opening of aswitching contact d The take-up reel drive 47 may also be switched off,in an independent manner, through the switching off contact 49" of theon-otf switch 49.

The timing relays Z1 and 2 are made to correspond to each other and tobecome released after a predetermined time interval. Through theassociated holding contacts Zn and 2 the current paths of the relaycoils d and d become interrupted and the processing or working cycle ofthe arrangement becomes again repeated from the beginning. Thissituation prevails as long as the relay coil d does not becomedeenergized through actuation of switching contact 48" of the on-offswitch 48.

In the arrangement 50 for carrying out the process of the presentinvention, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the band 22 is taken directly fromthe storage drum 21, through the take-up reel 28. A supporting roll 51beneath the moving band is provided in front of the processingarrangement 24. The sensing of the deformation of the band is carriedout by the arrangement 50, through mechanical means, and thereby onlydeformations at the sides of the band are provided in the disclosedembodiment. The table or bench 39 adjoining the processing arrangement24, is provided with a movable plate 53 which is slidably movable alongthe longitudinal axis of the table. The plate 53 is provided with pawls52.

As shown in FIGS. 6-10, the plate 53 slidable lengthwise upon the table39, is normally held in place through springs 54. The displacement pathof the plate 53 is limited in the front and back through limit stops 54on the table or bench 39. When the band 22 runs past the pawls 52, theband is guided by vertically mounted guidance rolls 55. The pawls 52 arepivotably mounted upon the axes 56 on the plate 53. A tension spring 57tends the pawls to move against each other. As a result, the end fingers58 of the pawls are maintained against the edges of the band moving pastthe pawls.

When a deformed section passes the position of the fingers, the pawls 52grip into the deformation, and as a result, the plate 53 becomes movedagainst the springs 54 until a switch 59 becomes actuated. Thissituation is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. A roller 60 of the contact switch59 operates in conjunction with an actuating strip 61 formed from aninner bend of the plate 53. Through the contact switch 59, theprocessing arrangement 24 becomes switched on and the take-up reel 28becomes switched off, as described below in conjunction with theassociated control circuitry.

The release of the pawls 52 from the deformed positions of the band 22,is realized through a control plate having a triangular shape at itsfront portion. This control plate 62 is brought forward to force thepawls 52 apart, by means of a cylinder 63 in which a piston 64 isactuated through air pressure. Air pressure is applied through thepiston 64, by way of an air line 65 connecting to a magnetic valve 66.The valve becomes momentarily opened through a current pulse emittedduring the work cycle of the processing arrangement 24. The returnmotion of the return plate 62 is accomplished through a compressionspring 67 acting upon the piston 64. This compresion spring 67 is shownin the embodiment as mounted within the pneumatic cylinder 63. After thepawls 52 have been forced apart and out of the deformations of the band22, the plate 53 is returned to its initial position through means ofthe springs 54.

A telescopic movable device. 68 is arranged at the end of the table orbed 39. The band 22 is passed over a roller on the device 68 beforewinding upon the take-up drum 45. The device 68 serves as a buffer forthe momentary overloads of the band, particularly when starting thetake-up reel 28.

The control of the arrangement 50 is shown in FIG. 11, in which theassociated circuit diagram is illustrated in the deenergized state. Asin the previously described embodiment, the three lines of a three-phaseA.C. power system are designated by R, S and T. The neutral conductor ofthe three-phase A.C. power system is desig nated by MP, whereas SLrefers to a protective conductor connected to ground potential. Adriving mechanism 47 of the take-up reel 28 is connected to thethree-phase A.C. power supply, by way of the contact associated with therelay coil 0 In a similar manner, the processing arrangement 24 isconnected to the A.C. power supply, by way of the contacts of the relaycoil c The primary winding of a control transformer ST, furthermore, isconnected to two phases of the power supply, while the secondary windingof this control transformer connects to the control circuitry, by way ofa cut-off switch or circuit breaker 40.

When the circuit breaker or cut-off switch 40 is closed, the controlcircuit can be initiated through actuation of the contact 48'. The relaycoil d then becomes energized and the two switching contacts d and ri ofthe relay d become closed. The contact 48 is bridged by the switchingcontact d similar to that described above in the preceding embodiment,and as a result the relay coil d remains energized. Since the contactswitch 59 operating in conjunction with the plate 53 becomes thenclosed, the relay coil d also becomes energized and closes the circuitacross the relay coil c As a result the driving mechanism 47 for thetake-up reel 28 becomes initiated. A simple cut-off switch 47' isfurther introduced in the circuit of the relay coil 0 associated withthe take-up reel 28. Through this contact 47, the driving mechanism 47of the take-up reel may be switched on or off independently of theautomatic control operation, when the control circuit is activated. Atthe same time, the contact d becomes opened through the relay d and therelay coil d with the associated contacts ai and (I in the controlcircuit of the processing arrangement 24, becomes deenergized. With theactuation of the contact 48 the relay coil c becomes simultaneouslyenergized, and as a result the processing arrangement 24 is set intooperation.

Through cooperative operation of the plate 53 with the switch 59, thelatter becomes opened and the relay coil d becomes thereby deenergized.As a result, the contact d becomes opened and the relay coil C becomesalso deenergized, whereby the driving mechanism 47 of the take-up reel28 is made stationary. At the same time, the contact r1 closes and therelay coil d with its switching contacts ai and 11 become therebyenergized. As a result, the processing arrangement 24 is actuated andset into operation. Through the switch 24' which is mechanicallyactuated by the motion of the processing arrangement, the circuit to therelay coil (1 becomes closed, and the associated contact e1 becomeslikewise closed. When the contact d becomes re-opened, the relay coil dremains energized until the contact r1 is again opened through the relaycoil d With the actuation of the relay coil d.,, the contact d. isactuated so that the circuit to the magnetic valve 66 is also closed. Asa result, the piston 64 becomes subjected to air pressure in the mannerdescribed above, and the control plate 62 becomes actuated for thepurpose of spreading the pawls 52. When the plate 53 has been returnedto its initial position through the springs 54, and the switch 59 hasbeen released thereby, the current circuit to the relay coil is againclosed. With this second condition a new control cycle begins again.

It is also quite possible that the processing arrangement 24 can beactuated independently through a switch 69. This is of specialsignificance in producing the first deformation of the band, before thelatter is wound upon the take-up reel 28. Thus, in such a case, thebeginning of the band 22 is drawn by hand from the storage drum 21 andled through the processing arrangement 24. The processing arrangement isthen actuated through manual switching control, and the firstdeformation is thereby produced. Once the band 22 is wound on thetake-up drum 45, further operation of the processing or metalworkingcycles are accomplished automatically through the electrical controlsystem as described above. If no band or strip is present or the end ofthe band has run off from the storage drum 21, the switch 51 interruptsthe control circuit and the arrangement is automatically stopped fromoperation. The switch 51 is arranged in proximity of the supporting roll51 and is loaded down to its closed position through the band passingover it. When no such band prevails, the switch 51' is, in effect,opened, and the circuit is thereby interrupted.

FIGS. 12 to 24 show band or strip deformations designed for the purposeof initiating control pulses. FIGS. 12 to show bands or strips in whichthe deformations are in the form of cut-outs. The cut-out 70 in FIG. 12is wedge-shaped with straight edges 71. The wedge-shaped cut-outs leavea central portion 72 between the two side edges 73 and 74 of the band22. The cut-outs 70 lie transversely across from each other on the band.The cut-outs 75 shown in FIG. 13 are also wedge-shaped, but differ fromthe cut-outs 70, in that the edges 76 are curved. Such curved edges areparticularly useful for providing desired interrupting positions, sincein threading the band through this position, no sharp edges may appear.In FIG. 14 these deformations are illustrated in semi-circular form ofcut-outs 77. The semi-circularshaped cut-outs 77 lie across from eachother transversely to the longitudinal axis of the band, and have theirlargest opening at the side edges 73 and 74. FIG. 15 shows anarrangement in which more than two sensing positions are used next toeach other in the transverse direction of the band. Thus, in theembodiment of FIG. 15 a plurality of circular shaped stampings 78 lienext to each other in the transverse direction of the band. In contrastwith the previous embodiments of the band, the edges 73 8 and 74 remainunaltered in the embodiment of FIG. 15.

FIGS. 16 to 21 show embodiments of the band 22 with different piercingsin design. The bands are also deformed immediately in the region of thepiercing. The embodiments of FIGS. 16 and 17 disclose piercings 79 whichextend substantially transverse from the edges 73 and 74 of the band 22,and leave a central portion of material 80. The regions 81 and 82bordering the piercings are deformed so that the region 81 projectsupward from the plane of the band, whereas the region 82 projectsdownward from the plane of the band. The largest deformation is incurredat the edges 73 and 74. A further embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 18and 19, in which a pierced straight cut 83, transverse to the band 22,leaves two material portions 84 at the sides. The region 85 of the bandis next to the cut or piercing 83, as shown in FIG. '19, and is pressedout from the plane of the band. The band 22 can, furthermore, be shapedin accordance with FIGS. 20 and 21 in which pierced indentations 86 and87 are provided extending from the edges 73 and 74 and towards thecentral portion of the band. A central portion 88 remains and supportsthe pierced indentations 86 and 87 which project from the plane of theband beyond the central portion.

FIGS. 22 to 24 show embodiments for stressless deformations of the band22, adapted or actuating sensing elements. The deformations may runtransverse to the band in the form of a projection portion 89 as shownin FIG. 22, or as an indentation 90 on the upper and lower surface ofthe band and running transverse thereto. For stepwise control of theband feed, it is advantageous to provide a plurality of suchindentations 90 transverse to the longitudinal direciton of the band,and arranged adjacent to each other as shown in FIG. 24.

FIGS. 25 to 29 illustrate embodiments in which a band strip between ends91 and 92 is prepared with spacing positions 93 and band closures 94adapted to also give rise to control pulses. In FIGS. 25 and 26, theband ends 91 and 92 adjoin the spacing position 93. The spacing positionis provided with two cut-outs 95 extending from the edges 73 and 74toward the center of the band, and leaving a central portion of material97. The edges 96 substantially transverse to the longitudinal directionof the band, are curved and the cut-out edges 98 are inclined towards acentral axis of the band 22. The band closures 94 are formed fromadjacent and consecutively following angular cuts or piercings 99, inthe conventional manner. The rising portions 100 between the cutindentations 99, and the inclined side portions 101 are pressed inopposite directions from the plane of the band, as shown in FIG. 26.FIGS. 27 and 28 show another embodiment for the spacing position and theband closures. The spacing position 93 is formed in this embodimentthrough wedgeshaped cut-outs, while the band closures 94 are formedthrough adjacently located angular cuts 102. The regions of the bandI103 and 104 lined on the two sides of the angular cuts 102, are pressedin opposite directions from the plane of the band.

In the embodiment of FIG. 29 the spacing position 93 is also formed fromwedge-shaped cut-outs. On both sides of the spacing position, adjacentlyelongated slots -105 are cut through and out of the band plane.

As mentioned above, the embodiments shown are only an example forrealizing the present invention, and the latter is not limited to theseembodiments. Thus, instead of mechanical or electronically operatingsensing devices, optical or electromagnetic sensing devices may also beused for the purpose of carrying out the present invention. It is alsoquite possible to apply color or magnetic markings at the desiredspacings, instead of the deformations through band piercings, for thepurpose of initiating controlliing signals. As a result, the shapes ofthe deformations, particularly the spacing positions, are not restrictedto the embodiments shown. The deformation of the bands can be providedin any desired manner with the condition that a sensing arrangement maybe actuated 9 therewith. The number of sensing positions can also bevaried in accordance with the requirements for controlling the feed andprocessing arrangement.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofcontrol bands for metal working processes differing from the typesdescribed above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied incontrol bands for metal Working processes, it is not intended to belimited to the details shown, since various modifications and structuralchanges may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of thepresent invention.

What is claimed as new and desire to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:

1. A process for producing band strips with spacing positions at theends of the strips, comprising the steps of advancing a band to beprocessed in a predetermined direction towards a band processingarrangement; stopping advancement of said band on arrival thereof atsaid band processing arrangement; actuating said band processingarrangement; forming with said band processing arrangement a strip endportion on said band; advancing the 'band at high speed so as to movethe thus formed strip end portion rapidly towards a sensing positionwhich is spaced from said band processing arrangement by a predetermineddistance; slowing the advancement of said band as said strip end portionapproaches said sensing position; sensing said strip end portion at saidsensing position and concomitantly stopping advancement of said band;and actuating said band processing arrangement in response to sensing ofsaid strip end portion and subsequent to stopping the advancement ofsaid band, so as to form with said band processing arrangement anotherstrip end portion on said band longitudinally spaced from the precedingstrip end portion, whereby strip end portions spaced from each other bysaid predetermined distance are formed in sequence along said band.

2. An arrangement for producing connecting strips of band comprising, incombination, supply means supplying a continuous band for movement in apredetermined path; band processing means adjacent said path fordeforming a predetermined section of said band upon application of anoperating signal to said band processing means; sensing means positionedadjacent said path and spaced dowstream from said band processing meansby a predetermined distance; advancing means for advancing said bandfirst at high speed and subsequently at slow speed towards said sensingmeans upon deformation of said predetermined section; and controllingmeans actuated by and responsive to said sensing means upon sensing bythe same of said predetermined section for transmitting operatingsignals to said advancing means so as to tenminate advancement of saidband, and to said band processing means so that the latter applies anadditional deformation to said band upon arrival of said predeterminedsection at said sensing means.

3. A process for producing connecting strips of band as defined in claim1 including the step of deforming said strip end portion by said bandprocessing arrangement, and initiating said sensing step with thedeformation applied through said deforming step.

4. A process for producing connecting strips of band as defined in claim3, including the step of applying further deformations to said bandclosely spaced from each other.

5. A process for producing connecting strips of band as defined in claim3, including the step of applying further deformations in succession tosaid band.

6. A process for producing connecting strips of band as defined in claim3, including the step of applying further adjacently locateddeformations in succession to said band.

7. A process for producing connecting strips of band as defined in claim1 including the step of applying during said step of forming a strip endportion at least one deformation having at least one continuous closedsurface; and initiating said sensing step through said continuous closedsurface on said band upon arrival of said surface at said sensingposition.

'8. A process for producing connecting strips of band as defined inclaim 3, wherein the step of deforming said strip end portion comprisesforming at least one cut-out in the band.

9. A process for producing connecting strips of band as defined in claim3, wherein the step of deforming said strip end portion comprisesforming at least one pierced cut in the band.

10. A process for producing connecting strips of band as defined inclaim 3, wherein the step of deforming said strip end portion comprisesforming a stressless-shaped portion in the band.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,222,842 11/ 1940 Humphrey 83-92,234,999 3/ 1941 Yoder 83-3-01 2,394,466 2/ 1946 Muddiman 250-2192,781,816 2/1957 Lawson 113-1 2,857,966 10/1958 Sarka 83-33 2,862,29212/1958 Lawson 29-413 3,406,601 10/ 1968 Clifford 83-208 2,329,392 9/1943 Crane 83-371 2,371,358 3/1945 Sekella 83-372 2,725,100 11/1955Payne 83-371 3,497,702 2/ 1970 Martensson et al. 226-27 FOREIGN PATENTS831,548 12/1937 France 83-73 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner E. M.COMBS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

